At St Stephen’s, our spiritual life is the heartbeat of our community. We want this page to be a window into our reflections - a place where we can share the wisdom of the Christian faith while celebrating the perspectives of all our families. We hope these weekly themes offer a moment for your family to talk together about the values that connect us all.
How can we get ready for Easter by looking at Jesus’ example?
Last week, we reflected on Jesus’ time in the desert and his focus on staying true to his purpose. This week, we are moving forward in the journey towards Easter by looking at Jesus’ example of sacrificial love and service.
In the Christian tradition, Jesus taught that true leadership and strength are found in how we care for others - often putting their needs before our own. Whether it was healing the sick, listening to the lonely, or even washing his disciples' feet, Jesus showed that the greatest love is found in humble service. As we continue through Lent, we are thinking about how we can follow this example in our own lives by looking for ways to be 'people for others' within our school, at home and within our wider community.
If you would like to explore these themes further as a family, here are some ideas for discussion or activities:
The Power of Love: In school, we have been thinking about sacrificial love - the idea of putting others before ourselves. You might want to talk about how this connects to our school values and how we can show that same kind of selfless care in our own community.
Creating a Space for Reflection: How about creating an Easter Garden using a small tray with sand, stones, a wooden cross, and spring plants. This serves as a visual reminder of the journey toward Easter. As a family, you could create your own small garden or quiet space to think about what it means to show the greatest love through our actions.
Caring for One Another: Following Mothering Sunday, we can reflect on how Jesus, even in difficult times, ensured his mother was cared for. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about the people who look after us. Perhaps the children could do something kind for a parent or carer this week, connecting the idea of deep, sacrificial love with the everyday kindness we show at home.
Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7).
I have found prayer to be a quiet but powerful gift in the midst of a busy and often unpredictable life. It reminds us that we are not alone, and it genuinely makes a difference in our hearts, our homes, and in the things we face.
As both a parent and a priest, with two children here at St Stephen’s, I would love to pray with you for our school, our children, and anything you may be facing. Whether prayer is familiar to you or something you are curious to explore, you are very welcome.
We are pleased to launch our parent prayer group, beginning next week! After this first session, we will resume regularly following the Easter break.
When: 9:00am – 9:45am
Where: Please meet outside the Chertsey Road entrance, where I will greet you and sign you in.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday 26th March
Thursday 30th April
Thursday 21st May
Thursday 25th June
Thursday 16th July
31 MARCH - 2 APRIL, 9AM-12PM
Get ready for an exciting adventure at Holiday Club at St. Stephen's Church.
This year's theme is Mountain Movers!
God is big. God is good. God is with us.
Come and join us for an action-packed few days filled with games, sport, crafts, bible stories, and so much more! It’s going to be a fantastic time of fun, friendship, and learning together. We can't wait to see you on the mountain!
To sign up, click here.